Baton Rouge La., 2c Green
(11X1). Large margins to full at top right, bright shade on fresh white
paper, neatly tied by unusually clear strike of "Baton Rouge La. Sep. 27,
1861" circular datestamp on immaculate white drop-rate cover locally
addressed to Jno. P. BehrnesEXTREMELY FINE GEM. THE FINEST OF THE SIX RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE BATON ROUGE 2-CENT PROVISIONAL STAMP. AN OUTSTANDING 2-CENT PROVISIONAL RARITY OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES AND ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE KILBOURNE COLLECTION.
Of No. 11X1 we record 3 unused, 5 used off cover or on piece, and 5 used on covers. Of No. 11X1a ("McCcrmick" error) we record 1 unused, 1 used off cover and 1 used on cover. This cover was described in the 1956 Caspary sale catalogue as "undoubtedly the finest in existence", and, based on our census records, this opinion holds true today.
This particular 2c stamp has a distinctive plating characteristic. It is one of two known Baton Rouge provisionals (in any denomination) with the Maltese Cross border showing a wider gap between the fifth and sixth ornaments at bottom (Calhoun Type D), every other recorded stamp shows the enlarged gap between the sixth and seventh ornaments at bottom. This stamp's distinctive ornament arrangement is found at the top of Position 5 of the 5c setting and at the top of two examples of the 2c stamp. Most likely, the setting was altered between printings, and the top and bottom rows of ornaments were transposed.
Accompanied by Mar. 23, 1895, notarized statement from J. P. Behrnes (the addressee) attesting to the source and genuineness of the cover. Ex Caspary and Lilly (Image)
Baton Rouge La., 5c Green &
Carmine, Maltese Cross Border (11X2). Positions 2 and 3 (Calhoun Types
B and A), singles mostly likely from the same sheet, large margins mostly
all around, clear at bottom of right stamp, tied by "Baton Rouge La. Nov.
19, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Mount Lebanon La., blue printed
return card of George A. Pike, slightly reduced at left, small piece of
side flap missing and small sealed tear in cover at top left, light
vertical foldVERY FINE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED BATON ROUGE PROVISIONAL COVERS WITH THE PRINTED RETURN CARD AND THE FINER OF TWO RECORDED COVERS WITH A MULTIPLE FRANKING. AN OUTSTANDING EXHIBIT ITEM.
George A. Pike was the publisher of the local Baton Rouge newspaper Comet and Gazette. He was also a job printer and is believed to have printed the Baton Rouge provisionals.
The other recorded multiple-rate cover also has two stamps, but they are torn and the cover is defective.
Ex Brown, Brooks and Moody. Acquired by the Kilbournes in our 1964 Rarities of the World sale (Image)
Baton Rouge La., 5c Green &
Carmine, Maltese Cross Border (11X2). Position 1 (Calhoun Type B),
enormous margins all around, deep rich colors, tied by "Baton Rouge La.
Sep. 26, 1861" circular datestamp on remarkably fresh cover to New Orleans,
Extremely Fine Gem stamp and cover, the finest quality attainable, ex
Caspary (where acquired by the Kilbournes)
(Image) 
Baton Rouge La., 5c Green &
Carmine, Criss-Cross Border (11X3). Position 6, three huge margins
including bottom left sheet margin, slightly in along top border, tied by
faint "Baton Rouge La. Dec. 2, 1861" circular datestamp on light yellow
cover to New Orleans, fresh and Very Fine, extremely rare use of the 5c
criss-cross border stamp, which we believe to be a second printing circa
Nov. 1861 -- Crown records only eleven covers (all single frankings), ex
Caspary (where acquired by the Kilbournes)
(Image)